Shining Tears

Sega attempts to blend old-school RPG style and modern action-RPG gameplay. The result will appeal mostly to fans of the former. Read Review

The spiritual successor to Shining in the Darkness and the Shining Force Trilogy, Shining Tears is the first continuation of that series developed exclusively for the PlayStation 2. An action/RPG that features real-time battles and cooperative multiplayer elements, Shining Tears follows a 17 year-old amnesiac named Xion as he struggles to regain his memory in the midst of an unprovoked war. Offering more than 50 hours of gameplay and a unique story-based progression system that changes the makeup of your battle party depending on the choices you make, Shining Tears also features a "Link Attack" combat system that allows characters to chain their strikes for additional damage.

When I first saw Shining Tears in October of 2004, I was tremendously excited by its potential. After all, I love today's action-RPGs, I love classic Japanese RPGs, and Shining Force III is my second-favorite Sega Saturn game. I was hoping that Shining Tears would blend all three of these elements into something that I would adore. Sadly, that's not the case. While the game can be fun for a very specific audience, the styles didn't come together as well as I hoped they would. Read More »

If I were a sardonic wiseass, I'd say that Shining Tears is an action-RPG that's slightly reminiscent of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, but with cuter, 2D graphics and without that stupid chalice game mechanic. Since I'm not a sardonic wiseass I'll say that this action-RPG is so interesting, so visually pleasing, and so novel that it's become my #2 most wanted game of 2005 (Jade Empire is still my #1). As a fan of Japanese RPGs and Western action-RPGs, this game combines several elements of both for an engaging title that should keep you dazzled for dozens (maybe hundreds!) of hours. Read More »

Specifications

Memory Blocks

Release Medium

Features

Unique 2 player cooperative battle system brings multiple gameplay options; partner bonding system effects storyline and scenarios, allows for more than eight possible endings; create over 30 possible attack combinations with link attacks; get ready! up to 50 enemies can appear on screen at once; player 2 can play as the AI partner character, or import a character from a previously saved game; over 300 items to collect across more than 70 different battle stages with unique terrain and weather; over 100 upgradeable skills from sword attacks to witchery; switch modes and attack at close range with a wide variety of combat skills as a dark warrior or defend with long range skills as a light warrior.